“Have some lessons, eh?” he said.

“No, uncle.”

“How would you manage it then, Nat?”

“Buy a stuffed bird, uncle, and pull it to pieces, and see how it is done.”

“To be sure, Nat,” he cried; “to be sure, my boy. That’s the way; but stop a moment; how would you put it together again?”

“Oh! I think I could, uncle,” I said; “I’m nearly sure I could. How could I get one to try with?”

“Why, we might buy one somewhere,” he said thoughtfully; “for I don’t think they’d lend us one at the British Museum; but I tell you what, Nat,” he cried: “I’ve got it.”

“Have you, uncle?”

“To be sure, my boy. There’s your aunt’s old parrot that died and was stuffed. Don’t you know?”

I shook my head.